A proposed “smart” road project on Interstate 94 (I-94) between Wayne and Washtenaw counties could potentially introduce usage fees in the future, although the project is still in its early stages. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is currently conducting tests on a three-mile stretch of the road, which will serve as a pilot until the end of 2025. This pilot phase aims to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the technology before any major decisions are made regarding the full-scale project.
The proposed 39-mile corridor, envisioned to run from M-10 to Ann Arbor-Saline Road, will incorporate infrastructure designed to provide connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) with valuable information, such as traffic updates and road hazards. The infrastructure would include sensors and wireless communication systems to ensure that CAVs can navigate the highway safely and efficiently. One existing lane on I-94 would be dedicated to the CAVs, with sensors and cameras placed along the route to monitor traffic and train software to recognize objects on the road.
A potential part of the project includes the introduction of usage fees, though these are still in the discussion phase. During a public meeting held in Van Buren Township, MDOT officials reviewed the environmental impact study of the project, which concluded that the CAV lane would not result in significant environmental harm. However, the study proposed mitigation strategies, including a low-income assistance program for any usage fees that might be implemented, as well as measures to address construction-related traffic disruptions.
While the technology for CAVs is still evolving, MDOT is focused on integrating the latest innovations without placing undue financial burdens on the public. The full project’s construction would likely rely on private funding, with the firm Cavnue playing a key role in the development, implementation, and potential operation of the CAV corridor.
The future of the project remains uncertain, with MDOT continuing to monitor the progress of the pilot program and the development of related technologies. However, for residents like Tamara Gage, who attended the public meeting to get more information, the pilot project offers valuable insights into how such roads could operate in the future. Even if a permanent CAV lane is far off, Gage sees the pilot as a crucial step in exploring the feasibility of connected and autonomous vehicle infrastructure across the U.S.
